News

Barnsley Teacher Awarded MBE

Thursday June 26 2014

A BARNSLEY teacher who set up an award-winning primary school orchestra has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list.

Kathryn Smith, 48, voluntarily gives up hours of her own time each week to teach music to pupils at Silkstone Common Primary School.

She will be presented with the honour at St James's Palace in London sometime in the next six months, saying she was "shocked" to be chosen for the accolade.

"I was absolutely overwhelmed, I couldn't believe it," Kathryn added. "One doesn't get things like that in life, usually.

"I didn't understand it at first, I was totally, totally overwhelmed and it's been very hard to keep it quiet."

Kathryn started the successful string orchestra not long after joining the school ten years ago and it now has almost 40 members, has performed at the Royal Albert Hall and gone on to win numerous awards.

She hopes her MBE will be presented by the Queen - although it has not been confirmed - and said she now needs a new outfit and shoes.

"My passions in life are music and children; put those together and it's perfect," she added. "It's thanks to the children I'm getting this."

Nice to hear good news for a change - well done Kathryn to be recognised and honoured for your passion is worth much more than money!! Lucky children at Silkstone Common School to have someone so dedicated.